Events

Inaugural Wits Parkrun

Wits University will launch the first University parkrun in South Africa.

The 5km parkrun will commence from parking area adjacent to the Wits Club on the Braamfontein Campus West. The parkrun is planned to take place every Saturday, starting and finishing from the same location.

All Witsies, prospective students and friends of Wits are encouraged to join in the fun event. The Wits parkrun is an initiative to promote a healthy living. It will provide a unique opportunity for the Wits family to engage and make new friends.

This will be first ever parkrun in South Africa that will be held on a University campus. Should people wish to enjoy a drink, coffee and or a bite to eat after the run, the Wits Club will be open to support the extended socialising opportunity.

Officially, parkrun was started by Paul Sinton-Hewitt in 2004 In Bushy Park London. Bruce Fordyce (a Wits alumnus and honorary doctorate) was invited by Paul to bring the parkrun concept to South Africa in 2011. There are now more than 900 000 people registered for parkrun in South Africa (more than 5 000 000 worldwide) and nearly 50 000 who complete one of 172 parkruns in South Africa (more than 1600 globally). It is always 5km run or walk, always at the same time (8am for the Wits parkrun), always free, every Saturday. Each event is run by a team of volunteers who receive no financial remuneration for the joy of bringing parkrun to their community. Everyone is welcome; from walkers who stroll round in over an hour to hardened athletes who may finish in 15 minutes. The parkrun is not a race, so you only compete against yourself. More information: http://www.parkrun.co.za/